The Cost of Public TV

Public television, eschewing commercials for beer, deodorant, and so on, yet unable, like cable television, to charge admission, conducts “Pledge Weeks.”

John Paul Arnerich, citing what he deems politically offensive programming as his reason for not supporting KCET, obviously continues to watch (Saturday Letters, Aug. 27). It makes me wonde1914726758back at a theater because he didn’t agree with the philosophy of the movie he saw.

KCET asks viewers to pledge, and pay, less than 11 cents a day. In return they offer “Sesame Street,” “Nova,” “Wild America,” “The Frugal Gourmet,” “Great Performances,” “Dr. Who,” “Zoobilee Zoo,” William F. Buckley, Bill Moyers . . . well, you get the picture. And, in fact, you do get the picture. For free, if you so choose.

When I was a kid we sneaked in the back door of the local movie. Sometimes we sneaked out of church before the collection. As I grew up, I learned that there’s no free lunch. If the viewing public withdraws its support from public television, Arnerich is going to be watching “Dallas” and “Wheel of Fortune.”

DIANE SILVER

Arleta